Criminal records of Manatee County, Florida, are available through several channels. ManateeCourt.us allows quick access to public information about criminal cases by name or case number. Additionally, records can be obtained through official court portals, county law enforcement agencies, and the clerk of court's office of the 12th Judicial Circuit of Florida.
How to Search Criminal Records in Manatee
There are several proven ways to find criminal records in Manatee County.
Online Search
- ManateeCourt.us — enter the full name of the person or case number to view public information about criminal proceedings in the county.
- Florida Courts Portal — the official Florida Courts website provides access to the statewide case search system. Manatee County is part of the 12th Judicial Circuit, so cases are also available through the 12th Judicial Circuit website.
- Sheriff's Office — the Arrest Inquiries page on the Manatee County Sheriff's Office website allows checking arrest information. Reports and public records are available in accordance with Florida Statutes Chapter 119.
- Florida Department of Corrections — to search for inmates in state prisons, use the Offender Information Search.
In-Person Visit
The clerk of court's office at the Manatee County Judicial Center provides access to public terminals where case materials can be viewed. Bring a photo ID.
Written Request
Send a request by mail to the clerk of court of the 12th Judicial Circuit or to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to obtain an official criminal history at the state level. Include the person's full name, date of birth, and, if available, the case number.
To start your search, you will need at least one of the following:
- Full name (first and last name)
- Date of birth
- Case number
Search Manatee Criminal Cases by Case Number
In Florida, criminal case numbers have a standardized format that helps identify the case without confusion. The typical structure looks like this:
YYYY-CF-NNNNNN
- YYYY — the year the case was filed (e.g., 2024)
- CF — case type code. For criminal cases, the most common codes are:
- CF — Circuit Felony (felony, heard in circuit court)
- MM — Misdemeanor (misdemeanor, heard in county court)
- CT — Criminal Traffic (criminal traffic offenses)
- MO — Municipal Ordinance
- NNNNNN — sequential case number within the year
If you have the case number, enter it into the search field on the court portal or on ManateeCourt.us. This is the fastest way to find a specific case — searching by name sometimes returns multiple results, while the case number always leads to a single record.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Manatee
Each criminal case contains several key elements that are worth understanding.
Charges
| Element | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to the specific article of the Florida Statutes under which the charges are filed |
| Severity | Felony (serious crime), Misdemeanor (less serious), Infraction (violation) |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change the initial charge — reduce the severity or add new counts |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, and a decision has not yet been made
- Active — proceedings are ongoing, hearings are scheduled
- Disposed — the court has made a final decision
- Closed — all procedural actions are completed
Hearings
Criminal cases in Manatee County typically involve the following types of hearings:
- Arraignment — the first court session where the defendant pleads guilty or not guilty
- Pre-trial conference — a meeting between the parties before the main trial
- Motion hearing — consideration of motions
- Trial — the substantive court hearing
- Sentencing — the issuance of a sentence
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Found not guilty |
| Dismissed | Case closed without a verdict |
| Nolle Prosequi | The prosecutor declined to prosecute |
| Withheld Adjudication | The court withheld a finding of guilt — formally, no conviction is recorded, although the case record remains |
| Acquitted | Acquitted after trial |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Manatee
Certified copies of criminal records are official documents with the court seal, accepted by other institutions and employers.
Where to Apply
The clerk of the circuit court of the 12th Judicial Circuit is responsible for issuing certified copies of court documents in Manatee County.
For an official state-level criminal history, contact the FDLE (Florida Department of Law Enforcement). Requests can be submitted online through the FDLE portal or by mail.
How to Submit a Request
- In Person — visit the clerk of court's office with a photo ID. Provide the case number or the full name of the defendant.
- By Mail — send a written request including the full name, date of birth, case number (if known), and payment of applicable fees.
- Online — some records can be ordered through the 12th Judicial Circuit clerk's portal.
Required Documents
- Photo ID (for in-person requests)
- For FDLE criminal history checks — fingerprints and a completed request form
- Payment of fees (cash, check, or money order — verify acceptable payment methods with the office)
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Manatee
Fees for obtaining criminal records in Manatee County are set according to Florida Statutes Chapter 28.24 and the internal price list of the clerk of court. The sheriff's office also charges fees for providing public records according to Chapter 119.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $1.00 |
| Document certification | $2.00 per document (in addition to copy costs) |
| FDLE criminal history check (state level) | Depends on the type of request; usually $24.00 and above |
| Sheriff's office report copies | $0.15 per single-sided page (according to F.S. 119.07) |
Processing Times
- Copies of court documents — usually issued the same day for in-person requests, or 5–10 business days by mail
- FDLE criminal history check — electronic requests are processed within 1–3 business days; mail requests up to 10–15 business days
- Sheriff's office records — processing times depend on the volume of the request; simple requests are fulfilled within a few business days
Verify current fees directly with the clerk's office or on the sheriff's office website, as amounts may change.